Page 11 of Woodland Web

“I don’t expect anything in return,” Val said. “You chose the wolf. You’re happily married—at least I hope you are. We’re…solid acquaintances.”

That stung, though he was right. “Acquaintances, not friends?”

Val’s voice shifted, becoming more professional—meaning, aloof. “As the Dowager Countess of Grantham said, ‘We are allies, my dear, which can be a good deal more effective.’ So, not friends. But we have mutual respect, and that is something money cannot buy, because it requires a certain amount of loyalty.”

I exhaled slowly. He was right on that—money didn’t promise loyalty. If you could be bought by one person, then someone with a higher price could also buy your secrets. And he was also right in that we weren’t friends. My ego was just a little bruised, but it shouldn’t be.

“You’re right. And sometimes yes, allies are better than friends. Can you check around, and the sooner the better?”

“Of course. I’ll call you tomorrow night?—”

“Thanks, Val. I hope you’re doing well,” I said.

“I truly believe you mean that. I’m good. No worries. I’ll talk to you tomorrow night,” he added, and then, with a brief goodbye, he hung up.

As the line went dead, it hit me how tired I was. Most of the weariness was emotional, but I decided I’d go to bed early with a movie and the cats. Killian would probably be home before I fell asleep.

I had no sooner snuggled in bed when the phone rang again. This time, it was Ari.

“Hi,” I said, trying to keep my voice aloof. I didn’t want to seem overeager. “What’s up?”

“Hey,” she said, sounding embarrassed. “I thought I’d call because…”

I waited for a moment, then decided to save the phone call. “I’m glad you called. How are the kids? How are you?” I missed her children. I didn’t ever want any of my own, but I liked playing auntie to LaKirk and Emily, as much as I enjoyed being auntie for Victoria and Leanna.

Ari cleared her throat, but her voice was stilly raspy. “Look, can we meet? I want… I need to talk about us. I’ve been stupid.”

I tried to restrain myself, but my heart leapt as I made plans to meet her at my house for coffee, at ten. I knew Meagan had instigated this—it was our plan—but I acted surprised. “I’m looking forward to seeing you,” I said. “Tomorrow, then.”

After hanging up, I changed into a nightgown and crawled into bed with the remote. Things were moving—maybe slower than I liked—but I seemed to always find the help I needed. Grateful, I leaned back and turned on the television. I was ready for some mindless entertainment. With Xi and Klaus at my side, I snuggled under the covers, and before Killian could make it home, I slid off into dreamland.

CHAPTER SIX

The next morning, I was fighting butterflies in my stomach. While Ari and I had talked on the phone briefly a few times, this would be the first time we’d seen each other in person since our big fight a few months ago.

Since tonight was game night and I’d promised lasagna, I calmed myself by sauteing onions and garlic in a skillet, then added ground beef and spices. After it was ready, I spooned the mixture into a slow cooker. Adding tomato sauce, I turned it on low to simmer through the day.

I never trusted using the recipes where the noodles supposedly cooked while the lasagna was baking, so I boiled the noodles to an al dente state, rinsed them under cool water, then put them away. Finally, I grated the mozzarella and parmesan, and whipped the ricotta with herbs.

“There, everything is ready. All I have to do is build the lasagna and bake.” I glanced at the time, then set out a plate of cookies on the kitchen table, debating whether I should make coffee now, or offer Ari a latte when she arrived.

“You’d think I was going on my first date or something,” I muttered to myself.

A moment later, the doorbell rang. As I answered, I steeled myself. Meagan had promised that she’d get Ari to come around, but I wasn’t sure how she intended to do that and I wasn’t sure she had managed it.

I opened the door. Ari stood there with her short coppery pixie cut, weighing all of a hundred and five pounds. She was barely more than five feet, but she was a dynamo in a small package. And as I stared at her, I realized just how much I missed her.

“Ari…” I wasn’t sure what to say, so I stood back, inviting her in. She followed me into the kitchen and sat down, looking around. Not much had changed in a few months, but it felt like it had been years since we’d spoken. At least, to me.

“Hey,” she said. After another moment, Ari sighed and leaned back in her chair. “Meagan and I had a long talk. I… I’m sorry. She didn’t feel at all like I thought she would.”

I wondered whether to reveal that Meagan had showed up on my doorstep. If I didn’t tell Ari, how would she feel if she found out later? Duped? Foolish? I wasn’t sure, but I didn’t want to find out the hard way.

“Meagan visited me yesterday. I thought she was going to tell me to stay away from the two of you—the four of you, now. But she didn’t.” I ducked my head. “I’m only telling you this because I don’t want any misunderstandings, you know?”

Ari processed this, then nodded. “Yeah, to be honest, she told me she was going to talk to you. In fact… I asked her to. I was too embarrassed to broach the subject. I crossed the line, and she made me see that. Yes, it can be dangerous to be around you, given what you do. But just living in Moonshadow Bay is dangerous, and there’s always going to be something out there just waiting to get you. She made me see that we’ll always face the chance of someone trying to snatch the kids, or spirits wreaking havoc on our lives, or serial killers hiding in the dark. So…I want to apologize. I understand if you need time to think about this?—”

“No!” I jumped up, cutting her off. “I mean…I’ve missed you so much. You’re my best friend. I’m not going to lie. Hearing you accuse me of being a danger to your kids hurt like hell. But I can see how you might be afraid. After all, a spirit possessed you, and it tried to force you to act in ways you would never choose to on your own. I’m sorry. I never meant for that to happen.” I sank down in the seat next to her, tears welling in my eyes.

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